Friday, September 7, 2007

SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) today announced that it has completed its notification to 2,741 sex offender parolees who were in violation of housing restrictions mandated by recently passed Proposition 83, or Jessica’s Law. These sex offenders now have less than 45 days to comply with the housing restrictions.

CDCR parole agents fanned out across the state beginning on August 17 and completed notifications earlier today, four days ahead of the September 11 deadline that the department imposed on itself to finish the work. Jessica’s Law requires sex offenders paroled after Nov. 8, 2006, to live at least 2,000 feet from a school or park where children regularly congregate.

“Our agents did a tremendous job personally notifying each of these sex offenders to make sure they come into compliance with the law,” said Secretary James Tilton. “It was a monumental task that was completed ahead of schedule. Our agents are true professionals who work hard to protect the public.”

CDCR parole agents documented the address of each of the 2,741 sex offenders with personal visits and verified the distance to the nearest school or park with hand-held Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) devices, the most accurate technology available to measure distance in a straight line.

Those who were verified to live inside the 2,000 foot restriction were notified they had 45 days to find new housing that complies with the law. Regulations adopted since Proposition 83 was approved allow those who violate the housing restriction to have their parole revoked and be returned to prison.

In addition, CDCR parole agents also visited another 2,390 sex offenders to verify that they live outside the 2,000 foot restriction. Their parole conditions were amended to ensure that they do not move to new locations within the Jessica’s Law boundaries.

Approximately 400-700 sex offenders are released from prison to parole each month and each will be notified of the Jessica’s Law requirement prior to their release.

“Once the legal challenges to the law were resolved and regulations were in place to enforce it, CDCR made an aggressive effort to bring all of these parolees into compliance with the law,” added Secretary Tilton. “In approving Proposition 83, the voters have said they want this level of security in the community, and it is our job to enforce the law.”